Chapter 501: Arrival in Capital City 2

Translator:

EndlessFantasy Translation

Editor:

EndlessFantasy Translation

Am I not allowed to be disappointed? Qi Qingyao complained as she said inexplicably, What about the Capital City we talked about? Isnt the capital usually the most developed region in the country? What was that outside they had seen? The houses seemed to be dilapidated, and the streets were filled with shabby vagabonds, similar to the chaotic streets of Qingzhou City! Where was the grandeur and cleanliness of the Capital City?

Lu Yan murmured, Developed?

Qi Qingyao rolled her eyes and said calmly, It means having the most beautiful buildings and the cleanest grounds. The people there would be the most elegantly dressed. It would look like the capital of a country.

Lu Yan explained, Thats because we entered from the Gate of Western Wu. The western streets are messier its the shabbiest part of the Capital City.

Oh thats how it is. Qi Qingyao was suddenly enlightened.

She opened the carriage window once again and glanced outside. After the convoy pa.s.sed three streets and exited the West Side of the Capital, Qi Qingyao retracted her gaze again. She huffed a short sound with her nose in annoyance.

Hm

Got any other thoughts? Lu Yan asked.

Qi Qingyao concluded straightforwardly, The overall prosperity of the Capital is inferior to that of Qingzhou City.

Lu Yan suddenly burst out in laughter. Didnt I tell you before? Because of its koi temples, Qingzhou City is a place where the dignitaries and aristocrats from various countries love to migrate to after retirementso it has indeed developed very well in recent years. I think it is not only more prosperous than our Capital, but it is more prosperous than the capitals of other countries.

Well in that case, Ive already seen the world She was now a citizen from the big city.

Listening to the conversation between the two adults, the three children were suddenly no longer curious about the Capital

Lu Yan said relaxedly, So theres no need to be so nervous. Meeting Her Majesty is a very simple matter.

As soon as meeting Her Majesty was mentioned, Qi Qingyaos attention finally returned to the critical matter at hand. She thought for a moment, then asked with extremely deep eyes, Hey, say the Emperor doesnt like me. What if she looking for an excuse to have me killed?

Why would she have you killed? Lu Yan asked.

Qi Qingyao self-consciously touched her face and said, Think about it. Im not ugly Im not being narcissistic, but this appearance of mine is relatively beautiful. Didnt you say that the Emperor is a woman? What if Her Majesty has become jealous of my beauty wouldnt that doom me?

. What did her face have anything to do with her being doomed?

Qi Qingyao knew that he did not understand, so she continued.

Besides, from a strategic point of viewI have Si Jin, the big boss, by my side. Si Jins existence is my trump card, but it also presents a double-edged sword!

The empress clearly intended to meet Si Jin on this occasionits just that she doesnt dare to invite him directly.

She doesnt know whether Si Jins allegiance is to me, or to Northern Liang. Shes afraid that this uncontrollable grand master might decide to enter the palace and try to kill her so she took a roundabout way to save the nation by deliberately asking me to go meet Her Majesty!

She doesnt even know that Si Jin really isnt around nowwhat should I do if she sees me and insinuates that she wants to meet Si Jin? Am I really going to admit that Si Jin is not around? If I say that, its equivalent to giving the empress a slap across the face.

Lu Yan felt that her worries were not without reason. But anyone who has bought information about Si Jin from Zhaixing Administration knows that Si Jin had a master, and that is you If the empress really asked you to call Si Jin to see her but youre unable to summon him, the empress sensitivity and paranoia will make her suspect that you purposely hid this trump cardand also that Si Jin wont be loyal to Northern Liang but is really just a chess piece for you

Qi Qingyaos eyes flashed. Thats right. Thats exactly what Im worried about! This kind of empress who has been at her peak for so many years would never allow an uncontrollable chess piece to appear by its own will. She might even think that I purposely asked Si Jin not to show upthat I dont respect her, that I have thoughts about revolting! If thats how Her Majesty thinks, Ill be in a very precarious position when I go to meet Her Majesty.

Lu Yan,

Qi Qingyao asked anxiously, What should I do?

Can you summon Si Jin? Lu Yan frowned as he asked.

Qi Qingyao, He snuck away, where would I even find him? Was this really a time to joke?

Then you Lu Yan pondered for a moment, then said half-heartedly, I have a bad idea.

What? Qi Qingyao asked.

Lu Yan pointed to the two carriages, one in front and the other behind them. Go invite Jiang Yeqian and Li Ruoxuan. Although Jiang Yeqian initiated the request to resign, the empress still likes him very much. If hes willing to speak for you, the empress wont touch you. The same goes for Li Ruoxuan, the State Preceptor of the current dynasty. If hes really become a grand master, then his words carry even more weight.

Qi Qingyao pointed at herself in disbelief. You want me to beg Li Ruoxuan? Are you kidding me?

Lu Yan was silent for a while. His dark pupils were dark and deep. He responded, I know that youre still upset about certain thingsbut as humans, when we are incapable, we can only bow down when on others turf and avenge ourselves once were capable.

Qi Qingyao did not respond.

Lu Yan said with a half-smile, Youre a mature adult.

Qi Qingyao raised her gaze slowly and responded, What do you mean? Youre clearly saying that Im immature.

Lu Yans eyes were cold, and his expression restrained. He said, Based on the issues youre worried about today and the fact that youve previously maintained a subtle distance from Li Ruoxuan, Jiang Yeqian, and me, I know youre very tactful and intelligent. To be precise, mature. But such a mature person being so obsessed with Qi Qingzhus revenge has led to your hatred toward Li Ruoxuan in your heart, making you want to go against this kind of person. You obviously know that hes useful, but you dont want to use him. Technically speaking, this is immaturity! So, sometimes Im confused, are you really mature or immature?

Qi Qingyao murmured her response in a small voice, Shouldnt you praise me for being a rational and principled person?

That is not called being principled, that is called being stupid. After Lu Yan finished speaking, he continued with a monolog in his head. Stupid woman.

You just praised me for being smart, now youre saying Im stupid Qi Qingyao sighed in disbelief.

Lu Yan said seriously, If you want to be a smart person, from now on you, should squeeze Li Ruoxuan for all hes worth, then kick him away! Then, eventually, you destroy him when you have the strength This is the purpose of his existence!

Squeeze him out for all hes worth? Qi Qingyao chewed on Lu Yans words, thinking they were very reasonable. After pondering for a while, she said relaxedly, Then I want to seize all of his fortunes and all his weapon power!

Lu Yan was about to nod when Qi Qingyaos eyes suddenly brightened as she said, I got it.

Lu Yan, ???

Got what?

Qi Qingyao continued, Im not going to be staying at your place anymore.

Lu Yan, ??? Ah!

As soon as Qi Qingyao finished speaking, she signaled for the carriage to stop, forcing the entire convoy to halt as well. The Tiger guards looked at her curiously. Dong Jing, who was riding a horse, was about to ask the Missus if she wanted to relieve herself when Qi Qingyao hopped onto the front carriage. Without waiting for Li Ruoxuans instructions, Zhu Shen opened the door of the carriage, inviting Qi Qingyao to board.

Li Ruoxuan, who was meditating inside, was stunned.

He wondered when this idiot Zhu Shen had learned to act on his own initiative!

He was dumbfounded as he watched the little girl hop onto the carriage and close the door with a smile on her face.

State Preceptor!! Qi Qingyao sat across from Li Ruoxuan, blinking her pure and innocent eyes. She asked casually, Weve already reached the Capital, so where do I stay?

Her tone was inexplicably friendly.

It made gooseb.u.mps rise all over Li Ruoxuans body.

He said strictly, Ill arrange for you to stay in Minliang Temple, or in an inn. When foreign officials visit the Capital, higher-ranking officials stay in Minliang Temple, whereas lower-ranking officials stay in inns. Since you were asked to meet the empress, and are very close to me, Ill be generous and arrange for you to stay in Minliang Temple.

Is this how you treat a person you like? Qi Qingyao pretended to be narcissistic and casted a sidelong glance at him. She said sarcastically, Who proposed to me just a few days ago? Now, youve changed your tone and plan to arrange for me to stay in a temple!

Li Ruoxuan,

Qi Qingyao maintained a straight face and continued mockingly, Is your place very small? Cant you arrange for me to stay at your place?

Li Ruoxuan, My place is not small, so you could stay

Then Ill stay in your house. Qi Qingyao slammed the table and decided right away. My safety would be secured! If he really was a grand master, the most threatening place to stay would be the most secure.

In a moment of bewilderment, Li Ruoxuan could only squeeze out one word. Okay.

Then the convoy immediately turned around and rode toward the State Preceptors residence

Lu Yan, who was sitting in the carriage with the three children, had to hide his current frustration. Why had he brought up that bad idea so carelesslyit was an awful proposal!

They arrived at the entrance of the State Preceptors residence and Qi Qingyao hopped out of the carriage. As she was staring at the gate of the State Preceptors residence and enjoying the fresh air, Jiang Yeqian, who had gotten off the carriage as well, looked at the State Preceptors residence with wide eyes, then at the luggage that was unloaded off the carriage. He asked Zhao Xin to ask Zhu Shen what was going on, and soon after Zhao Xin came over to report back.

Using his crutches, Jiang Yeqian walked to Qi Qingyaos side in quick steps and rebuked, No!!

Li Ruoxuan stared at Jiang Yeqian calmly and asked with a vague smile, Head Grand Secretariat, what gives you the right to say no?

I said no. That means no. Jiang Yeqian had a tone that left no room for negotiation. He could not reveal his thoughts to Li Ruoxuan, so he could only turn to Qi Qingyao. He chided, Lady Qi, Master Li is still an unmarried man, and you too are a young unmarried woman. It would be inappropriate for you to stay in his house.

Qi Qingyao, who was gathering her children and was about to excitedly step into the State Preceptors residence, heard him and was immediately left speechless. She turned her head and responded.

Is the Head Grand Secretariat afraid that this unmarried woman will damage the State Preceptors reputation?

Dont overthink! Im just a single mother with children! One with three children! Id never degrade the State Preceptors reputation. And no moron would believe that these children were the State Preceptors illegitimate kin.

Li Ruoxuan looked at Jiang Yeqians angry expression, which was filled with hidden jealousy, and smiled very contently. Its okay. If other people really think so, Id be happy to be a father to the children.

Jiang Yeqian took a deep breath and tried his best to suppress all his anger.

Qi Qingyao said calmly, Look, even the State Preceptor himself doesnt mind. So, Head Grand Secretariat, please dont meddle in my business!

Im meddling in your business

Jiang Yeqian looked at Qi Qingyao, who was leading the children into the State Preceptors residence, then looked at the plaque of the State Preceptors residence overhead. He was so angry he really wanted to set the house on fire!

Lu Yan also unboarded the carriage, stared at Qi Qingyao who was entering the house, and sighed again. What a mess.

Dong Jing looked at the slight resentment in his Masters gaze and thought to himself, Missus initially agreed to stay in your residence. When the carriage suddenly stopped just now, it had to be because the Master said something to her!

When Li Ruoxuan followed Qi Qingyao into the house, he did not have to look back to feel the pairs of brooding eyes behind himas though thorns were piercing through his back.

At first, Li Ruoxuan had felt like the decision to allow Qi Qingyao to stay in his residence was quite abruptbut at this moment, he suddenly felt great!